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The shape of things to come in Stephen Harper’s future

Rachel Curran, a former director of policy in Stephen Harper’s Prime Minister’s Office, will be one of the principals at Harper and Associates, the new international consulting firm Harper will lead. Here are excerpts from an email exchange with the Star’s Paul Wells on Friday:

Q: Who’s going to work at Harper and Associates?

A: A network of policy, communications and business experts with experience in international affairs is in place. Others will be engaged on a project basis or more formally as required. The core group consists of the former PM, (former chief of staff) Ray Novak, (former executive assistant) Jeremy Hunt and myself.

Q: What’s the business model? Who are the potential clients — both the type of client in general, and any specific clients if there are any yet?

A: A few clients have been signed, but I cannot discuss their details. Information on some may become publicly available in future. More generally, the focus will be on assisting corporate clients with managing political/geopolitical risk, securing market access, and conducting government relations. The firm will identify and assess political, economic and security risks in situations of market entry, joint venture and foreign investment opportunities, among others, which should allow clients to better frame business decisions and maximize value.

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Q: Does the former PM have any other projects, or will this firm be his full-time occupation?

A: This will take the majority of his time. He will also be doing speaking engagements, through a speakers bureau, and will accept some board directorships. Harper and Associates will affiliate with a law firm, with details to be announced shortly.

Q: Tony Blair Associates (the most prominent predecessor to Harper’s firm) has several clients — Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia — that are both shaky on governance and competitive with Alberta in the oil export market. Would Harper and Associates have trouble taking on such clients for either reason?

A: Good question. The answer is yes. The former PM intends to maintain and promote the same principles he did in government, which means it will not be possible to work for certain clients or on certain projects. He will align his work in the private sector with the stances he took as PM.

Q: It occurs to me that Mr. Harper’s appeal may be specifically to conservative parties competing in multi-party democracies. He was a formidable election winner. Will such clients be part of the firm’s case load?

A: I can’t rule it out, but the initial focus is not on political consulting. That said, he’s received some inquiries from political parties looking for his assistance down the road.

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